141: Chapter 141 Zhao Lintai's treacherous scheme succeeds, and Wang Hongtai is forced to sign the equity transfer agreement.

Zhao Lintai smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Wang Ming, who stood to the side, in an almost imperceptible manner.

Wang Ming understood immediately, quickly taking two bound documents from his briefcase and respectfully handing them to Zhao Lintai.

Zhao Lintai took the documents, looking at Wang Hongtai with a hint of mockery in his eyes, and spoke slowly: "Chairman Wang, didn't I just say it? Today, we will sign this equity transfer contract. As for the China Securities Regulatory Commission, I have my own ways to communicate with them. As for those exposés online, you can rest assured; they are just groundless rumors, and I will naturally have the relevant departments handle them quickly."

A flash of hesitation crossed Wang Hongtai's face. He frowned and said in a deep voice: "Boss Zhao, the listing application is already in the approval process. Changing the equity at this time will likely cause the audit process to be interrupted... Besides, with the deadline at the end of the month approaching, there isn't much time left..."

Zhao Lintai laughed upon hearing this, appearing relaxed and composed, as if everything was under his control: "Haha, Chairman Wang, these are all trifles. How about this, I'll go urge the China Securities Regulatory Commission later and have them speed up the equity change audit process. This isn't a big problem."

Although Zhao Lintai made such a promise, Wang Hongtai was still struggling internally. He didn't feel quite secure, and a look of difficulty unconsciously appeared on his face. However, recalling what Vice Mayor Qian had said on the phone, as well as Vice Mayor Qian's fear of Zhao Lintai, he felt that he could perhaps trust Zhao Lintai.

Zhao Lintai took in all these subtle changes in expression, and a cold smile curled on the corner of his lips.

"Chairman Wang, I have already given you the solution to your current predicament. Whether you can make up your mind depends on you, Chairman Wang." As he spoke, he gently placed the two contracts on the tea table in front of Wang Hongtai, and continued in a haunting tone: "I understand that Hongtai Construction was founded by you, Chairman Wang. You must be unwilling to transfer forty percent of the equity for ten million. But Chairman Wang should also understand the principle of give and take. People, sometimes, if you don't give up some things, you will only end up losing more."

Wang Hongtai's brows furrowed even tighter, and his hand unconsciously pinched his thigh tightly, as if he wanted to use this method to calm the turmoil in his heart and compose himself.

Seeing his indecisive appearance, Zhao Lintai's face suddenly darkened, and he stood up abruptly from the sofa: "I've already said all that needs to be said. Since Chairman Wang still hasn't made up his mind, then please go back and think about it carefully. As for me, I have other guests coming later," he said, turning to Wang Ming and ordering, "Lawyer Wang, see the guest out!"

Zhao Lintai walked towards the room's balcony with his back to Wang Hongtai, as if he completely didn't care about the other party's decision.

Wang Ming stepped forward and politely said to Wang Hongtai: "Chairman Wang, why don't you reconsider?"

Wang Hongtai looked up at Zhao Lintai's back, the muscles on his face trembling slightly due to agitation.

He didn't stand up immediately but took a deep breath and reached out to pick up the contracts on the tea table. Although he was very unwilling, he understood that in the current situation, he had no other choice but to accept Zhao Lintai's terms. His voice sounded somewhat hoarse due to suppressed emotions: "Fine! I'll sign!"

"Haha, Chairman Wang is indeed a man who can accomplish great things!" Zhao Lintai turned around upon hearing this, clapped his hands, and a triumphant smile appeared on his face. He walked quickly back to his original position and personally handed a pen to Wang Hongtai.

Wang Hongtai took the pen and opened the contract to read it through. The content was consistent with what Lawyer Wang had described earlier, except the effective date was changed to the day the ten million arrived, taking effect immediately.

He sighed helplessly, flipped to the last page, and was just about to sign his name in the equity transferor's signature spot when he paused his pen, looked up at Zhao Lintai again, with a hint of pleading in his eyes: "Boss Zhao, my entire fortune is staked on this. You must help me."

Zhao Lintai laughed heartily, patted Wang Hongtai on the shoulder, and guaranteed: "Chairman Wang, rest assured! I, Zhao Lintai, have always been one hundred percent loyal to my partners. Once you sign the contract, we are on the same boat, and I will naturally do my utmost to ensure this boat sails steadily. With my joining, this ship called Hongtai Construction will only become more stable, and the journey will only go further!"

"Fine!" A flash of determination crossed Wang Hongtai's eyes. "Boss Zhao, I trust you!" After speaking, he no longer hesitated and quickly signed his name on the contract.

At the same moment, Wang Ming took out the inkpad from his briefcase, opened the lid with a smile, and handed it to Wang Hongtai.

Wang Hongtai silently sighed helplessly in his heart, put down the pen in his hand, and took the inkpad. He gently pressed his thumb into the bright red ink, then pressed it heavily onto the contract, leaving a striking red print.

Immediately after, Wang Ming reminded him: "Chairman Wang, don't forget, you also need to stamp the company's official seal."

Wang Hongtai frowned and looked at Zhao Lintai somewhat awkwardly: "Uh, Boss Zhao, I came in a hurry today and didn't bring the official seal with me. How about..."

Before he could finish speaking, Secretary Wu, who was standing to the side, immediately interjected: "Chairman, I brought the official seal. I considered that you might need to sign a contract with Boss Zhao today, so I specifically brought it along." After speaking, Secretary Wu took the official seal from his bag and carefully handed it to Wang Hongtai with both hands.

Wang Hongtai took the official seal, glared at Secretary Wu, and a flash of displeasure crossed his eyes. Secretary Wu smiled sheepishly, stepped back awkwardly, and stood to the side with his head lowered.

Subsequently, Wang Hongtai looked at Zhao Lintai, who had a smile on his face, and managed to squeeze out a smile: "This little Wu brought the seal without reporting it to me in advance. It really makes Boss Zhao laugh at me."

Zhao Lintai waved his hand and said with a smile: "Eh, Chairman Wang, don't say that. I think Secretary Wu is quite capable and thoughtful. Unlike Lawyer Wang, who needs everything explained clearly, otherwise things easily go wrong." As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Ming.

Wang Ming accompanied him with a smile on the side and hurriedly echoed: "Yes, yes, yes, Boss Zhao is right. I will have to learn from Secretary Wu in the future, and I hope Secretary Wu won't hesitate to teach me."

"No, no, Boss Zhao, Lawyer Wang, you are overpraising me." Secretary Wu stood to the side, smiling awkwardly and waving his hands politely.

Wang Hongtai smiled helplessly and didn't speak. He opened the lid of the official seal, pursed his somewhat dry lips, and a flash of determination crossed his eyes. A moment later, as if he had made up his mind, he gritted his teeth and stamped the official seal heavily on the two contracts.

After finishing this, Wang Hongtai handed the official seal to Secretary Wu, who carefully took it and put it into his briefcase. Then, he handed the two contracts to Lawyer Wang. Wang Hongtai looked at Zhao Lintai and asked with concern: "Boss Zhao, now that the contract is signed, I'll have to trouble you to look after the online exposés and the matters with the China Securities Regulatory Commission."

Zhao Lintai laughed heartily, patted Wang Hongtai on the shoulder, and said: "Easy, easy. Chairman Wang, rest assured, I will make a call immediately to handle these matters. Why don't you go back to the company and wait for my good news?"

"Oh, alright." Wang Hongtai realized that it might not be convenient for him to stay here, so he stood up to take his leave: "Then in the future, Hongtai Construction will be relying on you, Boss Zhao."

"Chairman Wang is too polite." Zhao Lintai said with a smile, "We are partners, after all, getting rich together! Let me see you out." As he spoke, he made a gesture to see Wang Hongtai off.

Wang Hongtai hurriedly waved his hand and said politely: "Boss Zhao, you are too polite, please stay." A smile was squeezed onto his face, but his eyes revealed a hint of helplessness and bitterness.

Zhao Lintai saw through Wang Hongtai's thoughts, laughed, patted his shoulder, and said: "Chairman Wang, just rest assured. Since we are already on the same boat, I will definitely do my best to help. This ship, Hongtai Construction, will definitely become more stable and sail further and further!"

Hearing Zhao Lintai's words, a flash of gratitude crossed Wang Hongtai's eyes. He took a deep breath, nodded, and said: "Fine! Boss Zhao, I trust you!"

"Haha, that's right," Zhao Lintai said, waving his hand at Wang Ming and instructing, "Then, Lawyer Wang, help me see Chairman Wang out."

The door closed, and the smile on Zhao Lintai's face immediately turned into the craftiness of a scheme successfully accomplished.